The Winnipeg Jets will wrap up their first development camp, Friday, with a message to the 30 drafted prospects who took part.

“When you get your opportunity, be ready,” GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said, Thursday. “Because you don’t know how quickly you’re going to grow or mature. On the flip side, if you take longer to mature, don’t get frustrated.”

Players like 2011 first-round pick Mark Scheifele may be on the verge of cracking the Jets lineup.

Others, like 2012 ninth-overall choice Jacob Trouba, heading to his first year of college in the States this fall, might be a couple years away.

Some will wind up playing in the minors, for Colorado in the ECHL or, if they’re lucky, for the Jets AHL affiliate in St. John’s, while the nine free agents at camp may never sign with the team.

How many ever pull on a Jets jersey is impossible to predict.

“Some of them may pull on other organization’s jerseys,” Cheveldayoff said. “Maybe a trade happens or something. It’s hard to put numbers on.

“One thing is for sure. We’re going to give them the best opportunity we can from our side. Obviously they’re going to have to hold up their end of the bargain as well.”

Five days of on-ice workouts and off-ice sessions that covered everything from strength and conditioning to nutrition should tell them where they stand.

“You get a base level now of where some of these kids are at,” Cheveldayoff said. “You find areas that are maybe deficient that you can jump on and start working on.”

The Jets will continue to monitor their progress, whether they’re going to college, junior or minor-pro programs, telling them what to do, what not to do.

This week’s camp included education on the use and misuse of supplements and a session with NHL security on the league’s drug policy.

“You maybe in the past just assumed players knew or would find out,” Cheveldayoff said. “Now you teach it. Part of being a pro, there are some elements of temptation that can lead you astray.”

While the Jets worked the prospects hard, it wasn’t the boot camp some organizations employ.

“We wanted them to have a good experience,” the GM said. “This isn’t something that was a beat-down experience that they leave here going, ‘I’m so tired, I can’t function.’ We want them to learn.”

Cheveldayoff also provided updates on a few pertinent topics:

—On talks with restricted free agent Evander Kane: “Lots of talk. These things do take time.”

—On the status of free agent Kyle Wellwood: “We’ve had constant contact with his group.”

—On the loss of Tim Stapleton to the KHL: “Europe always has a different time frame than your organization. We wish him all the best.”

—On Scheifele: “We’re really pleased with the work he’s put in. He’s showing a great dedication to wanting to be the best player he can be.”

Almost Done!

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